Fastener



April 2, 1946.

P. yAN SW1-'ERT FASTENER Filed Dec. s, 41942 s sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY April 2, 1946. P. VAN slT'rERT FASTENER Filed IDeC. 3, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw H lINVENTOR PAUL WIN JUVE/2T ATTORNEY April 2, 1946.

P. VAN slTTER'T 2,397,892

'FASTENER Filed Dec. 3, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 AWM '/All ABY e :e L

-ATroRNEY Patented Apr. 2, 1946 UNITED STATES .PAraN'r OFFICEl FASTENER Paul Van Sittert, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignor to The Cleveland Pneumatic Tool Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 3, 1942, Serial No. 467,706

Claims. (Cl. 85-5) The present invention relates to fasteners for temporarily holding together perforated plates or sheets in superposed relation preparatory to riveting or the like. c

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a fastener or temporary rivet which may be readily applied to or removed from the work, and constituting a simple assembly which `is strong, durable and eiiicient.

Another object resides in the provision of novel means associated with the body of the fastener for rmly clamping the same to the upper face of the perforated plates or sheets to be riveted.

Another object is the provision in a spring operated fastener of means for locking the relatively movable elements of the fastener inv their operative position whereby inthe event of stem breakage there will be no violent ejection of the stem.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fastener of the above character including a retaining stem mounted for slidable movement in a housing, said stem being split longitudinally to form a pair of sections adapted to be inserted through aligned holes provided in the superposed plates or sheets, and means adapted to be actuated after insertion of the sections through the aligned holes for urging the housing into lockedv engagement with the upper face of the perforated plates or sheets to be riveted.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a fastener having the above characteristics in which novel means is employed for effecting a wedging action between the slidable stem and housing after insertion Vof the stem through the aligned Vholes for locking said heusing relative to said stem in plate clamping position.

Another object of the invention is Vto provide a temporary fastener which does not require the use of special tools for inserting or removing the same from the perforated plates or sheets to be riveted.

Other objects and advantages more or less ancillary to the/ foregoing reside in the specic construction and aggroup'ment of the elements peculiar to this structure, as will become apparent from a, more complete examination of this specification.

In the drawings which illustrate the invention:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the improved fastener shown in the position assumed during 'the first step of its application to the work.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the position assumed by the fastener .during the second step of its application to the work.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. l illustrating the fastener in locked position.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the fastener in locked position, the sheets to. be riveted being shown in section.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view takensubstantially on line 5-5 of Fi-g. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view ofa modified formof fastener shown in the Vposition assumed during the rst step of its application to the work.

Fig. 7 is a vertical rsectional View at right angles to that of Fig. 6 and illustrating the position assumed by the fastener during the second step of its application to the work.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 'l illustrating the fastener in locked position on the work'.

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the locked fastener.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line Illloof Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line ll--II of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of a still further modified form of the invention illustrating the fastener shown in the position assumed during the first step of its application to the Work.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 illustrating the position assumed by the fastener during the second step of its application to the Work.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 12 illustrating the fastener in locked position.

Fig.f15 is a detail'sectional View taken substantially on line I 5-l5 of Fig'. 13.

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view of the spreader taken substantially on line |6--I6 of Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings' for a more detailed descriptionthereof, and particularly to the preferred form of the invention as illustrated in Figs. l to 5, a temporary fastener embodying the features of the present invention is generally designated bythe reference numeral 20-and comprises a substantially cylindrical shaped housing 2l formed at its upper end with an external annular flange 22, and having itsl lower end formed by a cross-wall or base 23 having a cylindrical central b ore 24-formed therein and extending therethrough. A rod or stem 25 is slidably mounted within the housing 2|, the lower end thereof extending through the central bore 24. The stem- 25 is split longitudinally for a portion of its length to' provide a pair of sections 26 and 2l and each section is formed with an enlarged end 23 adapted to engage the vlower sheet 29 as will be hereinafter more fully described. As is to be understood, the fastener 20 is designed 'to hold the sheets 29 and 30 in perfect perforate alignment, the sections 26 and 21 being inserted through the rivet holes 3| provided through the sheets 29 and 30. Resting on the base 23 and projecting through the central bore 24is a T-shaped spreader 32, said spreader being disposed between the sections 26 and 21.

On the stem 25 there is fixed by any suitable means a ring: 33forming. a cage for" a1 series ofY balls 34.r The ring 33' and the stem 25 therefore move as a unit. Slidably mounted on the upper end of which is tapered as indicated at 36 for engagement with the balls 34 when the housing 1 2| and stern 25 are to be lockedi against relativemovement.

` end of the stem 25 there is a sleeve 35 the lower Interposed between the lower endof ring" 33"y spring 31 for urging the ring 33 and consequently the stem 25 upwardly relative to the housing; Theengagement of. thespring with the head.-A of l spreaderV 32 serves. the additionalpurposeof retaining ,the spreader in. a relatively xed. position atall times.

The upper end of the stem 25V isiormedwitha Referring to the operation ofthe device, let'it be assumedthat the work-to-be riveted consistsL ofthet'wo superposed sheets 2.3.and 30; Manual pressure is exerted downwardly on the stel-'1125,v l atwhich time thelever 38 will'havebeen swung counterclockwise on itsfpivot approximately 180 fromthe position shown-infFig; 4so that'itssurandthe 'l head of spreader-32 is.,-za.compr.essioni face 4| is in substantial; engagement-f withzthe-f endlfoi thesleeve 35 as-shownin-Eigs. 1y and 2 of. the-drawings.: thereby f freeing-the:- tapered end; of theflsleeve- 35.V from. operative engagement with-y the balls.31|;.v As `thestem25is moved downwardly, v it. carries the sleeve 35 and ring; 33Y with: the

` This down-A ward movement projects the sectionsI 26 and 21 beyond'therspreader32 so that the.enlargedends 28 can be flexed inwardly asr'contact is made,`

latter compressingv the' spring 31.

with .Y the Awalls .of thehole- 3| and are" therefore free to be inserted throughsaidV hole 3f|- until theY base-23 rests uponA the upper face of the sheet 30, asfillustrated' in Fig. 1. Upon.the.-release.of downward pressure onfthe stem 25, the `spring-,31

will `force the ring; 33and stem 25. upwardly un'y tilfthezenlarged.endsZBengage-e the lower sheetof the work. as illustrated in. Fig.` 2. The sheetsv 2$iand3ilv are thusclampedbetween the enlarged' i ends 28... and base-oithehousing 2 I",` the spring-31 maintaining.v theclampedrelation. The lever 38A isthenswung; elockwiseonitslpivot `from thepol sitionshown in Figs. 1 and 2 to that shownin Figs. 3 and14.- and upon applyingI pressure; on the freefend ofsaidlever,` .its-cam; surfiace39V will i engagethe end 40 ofthe sleeve 35 to slide said 'sleeve downwardly relative.toftherv stem 25- andas the. taperedend36 contacts.the-balls 34, the latter will bemoved outwardly intox engagement? with E the walls ofy the housing2| thereby-locking said 'housingftothe-sheet. Inthis loeked.: position, the. stern 25--isheld-.against slidable movementrela--- tive;:toA the; housing 2| and.. sheets 29v and 30.

38 is swung on its pivot to the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 whereupon the stem 25 may be manually urged downwardly compressing the spring 31 and while held in that position the sections 25 rand 21 are withdrawn from the hole 3|. When the lever 38 is in locking position the parts 2| and 25 are rigid with each other and the action of the device is then independent of the spring 31. When'the lever'is thrown to unlocking position the spring again resumes its duty. Now when the operator, desiring to remove the device, depresses stem 25, he pushes ring 33 downward, relieving the pressure of the balls against the tapered surface of sleeve 36 and freeing the stem from lthe-- housing. The stem may then be depressediiurther' to bring the parts into the con-l dition shown in Fig. l, whereupon the device may be..- withdrawn ,from the work.

In the modified form of the invention shown In thisform of. theinvention the'fasteneralsocomprises; asubstantially cylindrical` shaped housing 42 formed at its upper` end. with an eX.- ternal annular flange 43.and. at; itsY lowerA end with aniintegral. base 44 having a. central bore 45. 'Ill-ieslidable stem in thisV instance consists of a pair of individual sections 46- and41fwhiehv are ofi substantially semi-cylindrical shape in cross-section asfY particularly shownin- Fig. l0. Ihesections46anda 4-1. areV held in spaced rela,-

tion at. one endv by means; of` the T-shaped;

spreader 48 which normally projects downwardly through thecentral bore45, inthe base 44. As'in the/preferred form Aofthe invention, the combined.

diameter ofthe sections` 46 and 41andT-shapeol spreader 48 issubstantially equal v,tothe diameter of. therivetholesfiil provided-.inthe sheets 50 andY 5|. tobe heldin aligned relation for riveting..

The upper ends-,0f` they sectionsv46. and 41- piv-v otally` support therebetween by. meansfof` a pin-or theflike 52.. a lever 53, the pivoted :endoi which is formed with a cam like surface 54 adapted to engage the upper end of a sleeve-55- mounted for.L

slidalole movementon the sections-.46: and 41. As is to be,understood,. the sleeve ,5B-fis slidableV with the sections 46 and. 41.and-is alsovslidable relativel theretoupon actuation ofthe lever 53 as will. befhereinafter described.. The lower end of the sleeve 55istapered as shownA at 55 in Figs. 7 and I 4.6: and 4-.1 at; diametrically' opposite points.; are formed with notches 60 for; receiving the; lower: endioi the. members 515 andl 58, and. this means tapered end.v 56.. of zthe sleeve-.55: upon actuation of lever 53 to urgezthemembersi51` and 58 outwardly;

whereby the sections 46 and 41 will be held in locked position relative to the housing 42.

While normally the members 51 and 58 will be free to move axially with the stem, in order to further assure that movement, there is employed asplit ring 62 disposed within a groove 63 formed in the outer periphery of the members 51 and 58 and substantially centrally thereof. The members 51 and 58 are thus free to be wedged into engagement with the walls of the housing 42 upon contact being made with the sleeve 55 yet upon release of the sleeve from engagement with the members, the ring 62 will assure central positioning of said members so that theyjwill be free to slide with the sections 46 and 41. Y

Interposed between the lower end of the members 51 and 58 and the base 44 of the housing 42, there is a compression spring 64 for constantly urging the sections 46 and 41 upwardly relative to the housing 42. As more particularly shown in Figs. '1 and 8, the lower end of the spring 64 rests upon the head of the T-shaped spreader 48 for retaining said spreader in a relatively xed position at all times.

The lower end of each section 46 and 41 is formed with an enlarged portion 65 adapted to engage the lower sheet whereby the work is resiliently held between the base of the housing 42 and the portion 65.

The operation and use of this form of the invention is substantially the same as in the preferred form. When initially applying the fastener, the lever 53 is in substantially the position shown in Figs. 6 and 1, with the sleeve 55 out of operative engagement with themembers 51 and 58, which permits manual pressure to be applied to the sections 46 and 41 for projecting the same downwardly against the tension of the spring 64 so that the enlarged portions 65 will pass suiiciently beyond the spreader 48 to be flexed inwardly as contact is made with the walls of the holes 49 for insertion through the aligned holes as shown in Fig. 6. The entire fastener is then moved downwardly until the base 44 rests upon the upper face of the sheet 56. Upon the release of pressure on the sections 46 and 41, the action of the spring l64 will return said sections upwardly relative to the housing 42 to clamp the sheets between the enlarged'portions 65 and the base 44 as shown in Fig. '1. The lever 53 is then manually swung on its pivot 52 from the position shown in Fig. '1 to that shown in Fig. 8 bringing the cam surface 54 into contact with the upper end of the sleeve 55 to force said sleeve downwardly until its tapered end engages the tapered walls 6| of the members 51 and 58. As the sleeve 55 engages the members 51 and 58 said members will be forced outwardly into locked engagement with the housing thereby preventing movement of either the housing 42 or sections 46 and 41. In the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the fastener is securely locked to the work so thatthe sheets will be held in perfect perforate alignment for the insertion of permanent rivets. When desiring to remove the fastener, it is merely necessary to swing the lever 53 from its Fig.

.8 to its Fig. 7 position which will permit the sections 46 and 41 and the sleeve 55 to be moved downwardly upon the application of manual pressure thereby freeing the enlarged portions 65 from the spreader 48 for withdrawal from the holes 49. g

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 12 to 16, there is also employed a wedging action for locking the fastener on the sheet. In this instance the housing is in the form of a solid cylindrical block 66 having a central bore 61 formed throughout its length in which is slidably disposed a stem 68. The upper end of the stem 68 is formed with a head 68 while the lower end is split longitudinally as indicated at 18 to form a pair of sections 1|, and each section is formed with an enlarged end 12 adapted to engage the lower sheet 13 as in the previously described forms.

A cap 14 `is secured by any desired means onto the end of the block 66, the end wall of said cap being spaced from the bottom of said block and having a central bore 15 inv vertical alignment with the bore 61. Supported between the end wall of the cap and the bottom of the block is a T-shaped spreader 16 which projects through the bore 15 and is normally disposed between the sections 1|. The spreader 16 is held against axial movement by the bottom wall of the block 66 and the diameter of the' sections 1| and spreader 16is substantially equal to the diameter of the holes 11 formed in the plates 13 and 18.

The upper end of the block 66 is externally threaded as indicated at 19 and supports thereon a nut formed with a tapered opening 8| which surrounds the stem`68. A series of balls 82 are coniined within the tapered Yopening 8| and in the normal position of the fastener rest upon a boss 83 provided on the upper end of the block 66, said boss being preferably smaller in diameter than the smallest diameter of the opening 8| Interposed between the head 69 and balls 82 there is a compression spring 84 for constantly urging the stem 68 upwardly relative to the block 66. l

In the use of this form of fastener, the nut 86 is screwed down onthe block 66 so that the balls 82 are free to rest on the boss 83 when initially inserting the stem through the hole in the sheets. Manual pressure is exerted downwardly on the stem 61 through its head 69 to project the sections 1| beyond the spreader 16 whereby the enlarged ends of said sections are free to be iiexed inwardly as contact is made with the walls of the holes 11 for insertion through said holes;

and after said ends have passed through the holes, the block 66 is urged downwardly into contact with the face of the upper plate 18. Upon the release of pressure on the head 69, the compression spring 84 will urge the stem 61 upwardly thus bringing the enlarged ends 12 into engagement with the plate 13, thereby firmly retaining the plates 13 and 18 between the enlarged ends 12 and cap 14. These steps are illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 after which the nut 80 is unscrewed to substantially the position shown in Fig. 14 whereupon the balls 82 will be lifted upwardly from the boss 83' until they become rmly wedged between the stem 61 and tapered wall of the opening 8|. In this position the stem is locked against axial movement relative to the block 66 and likewise the block 66 Ais held in locked position on the upper face of the plate 18. To remove the fastener it is merely necessaryto rotate the nut downwardly until the balls 82 come to rest on the boss 83 at which time the stem 68 will be free to slide axially, as manual pressure is applied, relative to the block 66 so that the sections 1| can be withdrawn from the holes 11. v

From the foregoing it will be understood that each form of fastener is applied to and removed from the sheets to be riveted without the use of special tools and that:afterfthe-fastenerfliasibeenv applied to the worksoastcx clamp the samebetween thev enlarged ends of. the sectionsi and the.-

base, actuation of the means provided will .create a wedgingaction between the, stem and housing' whereby vfurther movementy of' the stem relative:

to the housing is prevented. Thus the. fasteners will be securely clamped to the face ofthe work and held in a clamped.y position while the sheets. are receiving their permanent rivets.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of a. detailed character', in order'to Completely set-forth the invention, it is-to be understood that the specificr` terminology isy not in` tended to berestrictive or confining and it is tov be further understood thatvarious rearrangements of parts and modicationsfof structural detail may be resorted to, without departing from the; scope or spiritv of the invention as herein claimed.

I claim:

1. A device for temporarily securing at. least 1 means von .the inserted end of said stem for engagement with the under side of the lower element, means associated with said stem for urging the same upwardly for clamping saidelements between said housing and said firstV mentioned means, and other means for locking said stemrelative-to said housing inclement clamping position. l

2. A device for temporarily securing atleast l two perforatedY plate like elements with their perforations in vertical alignment preparatory to riveting comprising, a housing adapted to rest on the upper element, astem mounted for slid-1 able movement within said housing and insertable through aligned perforations of said ele.-

ments for maintaining them.- in aligned position, means on the inserted end of said ,stem for engagement with the underside of the lowerV element,.spring means effective for urging said stem upwardly for clamping said elements between said housing and said rstmentioned means, andl other means carried. by .said stem1 :for locking said stem relative to said housing,y in element clamping position.

3. A device for temporarily securing at least two Yperforated plate Ylike elementsv with their perforations in verticalr alignment preparatory toV riveting comprising, ahousing adapted to rest on the upper element, astem mounted-,for slidable movement within said housing and insertable through aligned perforations of. said elements for maintaining themin aligned position means on the inserted end of said stem for. en-

gagement with the underside of the lower ele-Av ment, spring meansassociated vwith said stemfor urging the same upwardly for clamping said elements between said housing and said iirst men.-

` tioned. means, and means surrounding said stem and active on said housing forlocking said housing relative to said stem.

4. A device for temporarilyV securing at least two perforated plate like. elements with theirperforations in vertical alignment preparatory tov riveting, comprising a memberv adapted to rest on the upper plate.; astemv mounted forv slidable movement within said member and insertable agsensaa through aligned perforations of"t saidiplates: for

maintaining them.. in. aligned. position', means: ontv thev inserted endlk of?? said stern'. for:v` engagement with the.r` under side of the lower?. plate, means yassociated with said stem. fior'urgi-ngf the Vsame-up,- wardly for clamping said' plates betweensaid member and said rst mentioned: means,4 and:

`wedging means forv lockingV said-member relative" oiated with said stem, for;` urging thesameup wardly forv clamping said plates: between said member and said rst mentioned means,r and.

means movable on said stem for wedging said. member relative thereto, whereby, said'` member will be held in locked engagementwith said plates. f

6. A device for tempm'arily.v securing. at least. two perforated plate' likezelements with their perforations in vertical alignment preparatory to riveting, comprising a member adapted-torest `on the upper plate, a stemmounted for slidable movement within said member, and 'insertable through aligned perforations ofV said platesffor. maintaining them in aligned position, means on the inserted end of said :stem for engagementwith the under side, of the; lower. plate, means associated with said stem for urging the same up- -wardly for clamping said plates between said member and said rstmentioned means, wedgey means surrounding saidsteml having engagement,

with the interior of said member, and means movable-relative to said stem.4 and adapted to be vactuated forv urging said wedging means. into. locked engagement. with saidmember, wherebyl said member will be held inlocked position. on`

said plate. l '7. A device for temporarily securingat. leastY two perforated plate like elements with their per..

forations in vertical` alignment. preparatory to riveting comprising, a..housinga. stem mounted,- for slidable movement withinsaid housing and insertable through aligned perforations of said plates for maintaining them in aligned'position, lmeans on the inserted endof. said stem for engagement with theunder side of the lower plate,a ring carried byfsaid stem and disposed within said, housing, a series of ballscarried by said ring and havingv frictional engagement, with. the. interior 8. A device for temporarily securing at. least two perforated plate like elements withtheir perfo-rations in vertical alignmentA preparatory to riveting comprising, ahousing, a stem mounted for slidable movement withinA said. housing rand insertable through aligned perforations. off said plates for maintaining. them. inaligned. position, means onthe inserted endofl said' stem for engagement with the under side of the lower plate, a pair of members carried by said stem and slidable therewith, said members having one wall tapered and the other wall in frictional engagement with the interior of said housing, and a sleeve slidable on said stem for engagement with said tapered Walls for urging said members into locked engagement With said housing, whereby said stem will be locked on said plates relative to said housing.

9. A device for temporarily securing at least two perforated plate like elements with the perforations in vertical alignment preparatory to riveting, comp-rising a member adapted to rest on the upper plate, a stem slidably held within said member and insertable through aligned perforations of said plates for maintaining them in aligned position, means on the inserted end of said stem for engagement with the under side of the lower plate, a boss formed on the upper end of said member, a series of balls normally held on said boss and surrounding said stem, means interposed between the upper end of said stem and said balls for urging said stem upwardly for clamping said plates between said member and saidvrst mentioned means, and means on the upper end of said member adapted to be actuated for lifting said balls from said boss and wedging *them against said stem, whereby said stem and member will be held in locked relation.

lO. In a device of the character described, a housing, a stern slidable therein, spring means for moving said stem toward operative position, and manually operated means for locking said housing and stem together while the spring is stressed, whereby the spring is prevented from expanding suddenly in the event of the breakage of a part of the device.

PAUL VAN SI'ITERT. 

